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5 people are interested
House Guides Needed
ORGANIZATION: 1890 HOUSE MUSEUM AND CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Please visit the new page to apply.
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5 people are interested
We are looking for enthusiastic people to join our museum team as House Guides.
House guides make up most of the interpretive staff at The 1890 House Museum. They give tours to visitors and educate them on Wickwire, house, Cortland, regional, state, national and global history.
This job will take place in the museum and involves going up and down four (4) flights of stairs.
House guides are the main interaction the public has with museum staff. They are responsible for the interpretation of the house and the material being presented. House guides will be expected to learn about Wickwire and house history as well as how the family and home fit into a broader historical landscape. This information will be provided in the form of a House Guide handbook but further study is encouraged.
More opportunities with 1890 HOUSE MUSEUM AND CENTER FOR THE ARTS
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About 1890 HOUSE MUSEUM AND CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Location:
37 TOMPKINS ST, CORTLAND, NY 13045, US
Mission Statement
The 1890 House Museum aims to promote and interpret the historical and cultural significance of this property to the public. The 1890 House seeks to collect, preserve, research, display, and interpret objects that promote local and national history of America’s cultural heritage during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Description
The impressive limestone mansion, now called the 1890 House Museum, was once the home of 19 th century Industrialist Chester F. Wickwire. Born in 1843, Chester grew up on the family farm in McGraw, east of Cortland. As a young man, he moved to Cortland and opened a grocery store on Main Street. Gradually, the grocery store became a hardware business. Chester’s brother, Theodore, joined him in the business. In 1873, the brothers received a carpet loom as payment for a debt. Adapting the loom to weave wire, Chester transformed the hardware store into a major manufacturing firm that would impact the nation.
The Wickwires’ financial success came from their ability to produce reasonably-priced wire goods with machines designed and patented by Chester. To meet the ever-increasing demand for their products, the brothers built a new factory on South Main Street in 1880. Soon, Wickwire Brothers Co. became one of the largest manufacturers of wire cloth in America, and the largest employer in Cortland County. Secure with the success of the business, Chester turned his attentions to the construction of a new family residence.
The museum preserves the history of the Wickwire family and of important industrial area history as well as acting as a community center for cortland history.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
37 Tompkins StreetCortland, NY 13045
DATE POSTED
July 23, 2017
SKILLS
- Public Speaking
- Multi-Tasking
- History
- People Skills
- Verbal / Written Communication
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be at least 13
- Orientation or Training
- Give at least one 45 minute- 1 hour tour a month.
- Must be interviewed by Museum and Assistant Coordinator and be able to climb many stairs.